Endocrinology Flashcards
Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and thyroid hormone synthesis
(Review)
Weight of thyroid gland
15 to 25 grams
Composition of lobules
20-40 follicles separated by highly vascular connective tissue
Surrounds a closed cavity containing colloid, thyroid hormone, thyroglobulin, and a variety of glycoproteins
Follicular cells
Responsible for the synthesis and secretion of calcitonin, a hormone important in calcium metabolism
Parafollicular cells or C cells
Hormone stimulated by hypothalamus
TRH
Responsible for release of TSH
Anterior pituitary gland
Thyroid hormone synthesis
1 Active transport of inorganic iodide into the cell (follicular cell)
2 Iodination of the tyrosyl residues on Thyroglobulin (Tg)
3 Coupling of iodotyrosine molecules within Tg to form T4 and T3 (two separate oxidative reactions, both catalyzed by thyroid peroxidase, TPO)
T3 (1 DIT, 1 MIT)
T4 (2 DIT)
4 Proteolysis of Tg with release of free iodotyrosine, T4, and T3, and secretion of iodothyronine into the circulation
5 Deiodination of iodotyrosines within the thyroid and reuse of liberated iodide
6 Back to 1
7 Release of thyroid hormones
Thyroidal origin:
T4
T3
100%
20%
T3: 80%
Produced enzymatically in nonthyroidal tissues by 5’-monodeiodination of T4
T4
1 Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG): 70%
2 Transthyretin: 20%
3 Albumin: 10%
Other term for transthyretin
Binding prealbumin
Free thyroid hormones
Metabolically active
T or F. Most of the circulating T3 is bound to TBG with a 10-fold reduced affinity as compared with that of T4
T
Third major form of circulating hormone
rT3
Reverse T3: Characteristics
1 No biological activity
2 Short half-life of 4 hours
3 Circulates bound to TBG
4 Its formation is considered a disposal pathway in the peripheral metabolism of T4
40% undergoes deiodination of the inner ring of T4 to form rT3
Monoiodinated T4
Influenced by intake of iodine
MIT/DIT Ratio
Preferential iodotyrosine formed
DIT
Predominant form of hormone synthesized and secreted when iodide is abundant
T4
Produced in greater quantities when iodide sources are diminished
MIT
Result of MIT production in great quantities
Increased T3 formation and release
Most common clinical syndrome caused by circulating antibodies to the TSH receptor
Graves’ disease
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism
Heat intolerance, tachycardia, weight loss, weakness, emotional lability, tremor, diarrhea
Opposite of myxedema
Thyroid storm
Myxedema coma
Advanced stage of thyroid hormone deficiency characterized by progressive stupor, hypothermia, and hypoventilation
Hypothyroidism signs and symptoms
Hoarseness, cold sensitivity, dry skin, constipation, bradycardia, muscle weakness
Hypothyroidism that involves the thyroid gland
Primary
Hypothyroidism that involves the pituitary gland
Secondary
Hypothyroidism that involves the hypothalamus
Tertiary
Secondary hypothyroidism
TSH secretion is decreased as a result of a pituitary disorder
Tertiary hypothyroidism
Hypothalamic dysfunction